Est. Earnings (1yr)
$74,906
Est. from CO median (12 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$28,000
Est. from CO median (7 programs)

Analysis

Colorado nursing programs typically produce strong first-year earnings, and the estimated $74,906 here aligns precisely with the state median—suggesting this program performs comparably to its peers. That's reassuring given Colorado's robust healthcare job market, where BSN graduates immediately enter a high-demand field. With estimated debt of $28,000 (actually below Colorado's median of $30,219 for similar programs), the 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could comfortably manage payments while establishing their careers.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from peer program data—both the earnings and debt figures come from comparable Colorado nursing programs, not from Colorado Mountain College's actual graduates. This means we can't assess whether CMC's specific program structure, clinical partnerships, or smaller mountain-community setting create advantages or disadvantages compared to larger Front Range schools. The top-performing programs in Colorado show some graduates earning over $87,000, though most cluster in the mid-to-upper $70,000s where this estimate lands.

For an anxious parent, the fundamentals look solid based on what similar programs achieve: nursing remains one of the most reliable professional paths, and the projected debt load is manageable. But you'll want to dig into CMC's NCLEX pass rates, clinical placement sites, and whether graduates primarily stay in resort communities (potentially different salary scales) or relocate to Denver's higher-paying market—factors the estimated data can't reveal.

Where Colorado Mountain College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (18 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Colorado Mountain CollegeGlenwood Springs$2,700$74,906*$28,000*
Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs$12,760$87,579*$84,584$30,319*0.35
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver$10,780$77,333*$70,699$30,119*0.39
Regis UniversityDenver$43,980$76,736*$73,450$29,427*0.38
Platt College-AuroraGreenwood Village$20,590$76,390*$51,933*0.68
Denver College of NursingDenver$76,161*$70,621$34,914*0.46
National Median$74,888*$27,000*0.36
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Colorado Mountain College, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.